UK BRIDGESTONE GTR 350 .

[reed]

I found this article in a magazine called Japanese Classics Autumn 1983.
You might find it interesting etc
Thanks.
Steve.

[reed]

One more article on the GTR.
Thanks.
Steve.

[moonpup]

Great vintage articles Steve, thanks for sharing them with us.

[ziggy stardust]

It's such a small world.

The bike shown on the second page belonged to Dennis Lodge as stated and that's a young Dennis beside his GTR, he's in his mid sixties now and I know him quite well as part of the VJMC, we always have a good chat when ever we meet up.

The last time we met was at the Stafford show last October and I told him I'd just bought a non running GTR but still hadn't picked it up, it was then that he told me he had a passion for Bridgestones and had owned a number of models in the past. He never mentioned the magazine article though.

Thanks for that Steve, really enjoyed reading it especially with the owner connection.

Z



Z

[Sno Jet]

Good article.  Can you guys tell us a little more about the importer, Bill Smith?

[ziggy stardust]

Browse through this link to his motorcycle shop, he's still a keen motorcyclist and business man.

http://www.billsmithmotors.co.uk/pages/about-us/our-heritage.htm

I'm no race bike fan but on a few of the photos I can't put a name to faces but I recognise them.

Also there is a liitle about him here.

http://bridgestone.skew.org/articles/bs350article.html

Z

[reed]

Thanks Harry,
Bill Smith is a good friend of mine, and i will do a article on him and his racing days!!
He did a lot for Bridgestone and he was a very fast motorcycle racer.
Steve.

[reed]

Lee,
This is for you Suzuki Stinger.
Thanks.
Steve.

[ziggy stardust]

A really pretty little bike, it's not with me at the moment.

Can be seen here http://www.classicbikes.co.uk/stocklist.html

Z

[reed]

I have one more article on the Bridgestone GTR from the UK.
And it gives some prices on the motorcycle etc.
Thanks.
Steve.

[reed]

Bill Smith.
The things i remember about Bill Smith apart from all the racing is this i had a small motorcycle shop in Prestatyn N Wales.
Bill was a very big Honda dealer so if you needed any Honda parts and i have always used genuine Honda gaskets.
You could call him and the parts would be there by Friday by van, his shop was about 30 miles away in Chester.
Dealer prices so you could sell your parts and give the customer a discount and still make a fair profit.
Plus he would sell you motorcycles at dealer prices delved to your door,he helped a lot of small motorcycle shops
Get going me included he was very easy to deal with, those where great days!
If you go to Bill Smith motors in Chester UK and see the great pictures about his heritage and the Bridgestone and Honda racing
Its all there.
Thanks.
Steve.
PS www//.billsmithmotors.co.uk

[Sno Jet]

Sounds like a good guy.  I bet he has some stories to tell.   I will have to check out his site.  Thanks.

[reed]

Harry,
If you check out his site could you please post it on this site i could not get it to work!
Thanks.
Steve.

[moonpup]

Ziggy posted it above...(reply #5) and it worked fine for me. 

[reed]

Moonpup,
Thanks its not the computer its me i am not the best on it.
I am getting there.
Steve 

[moonpup]

Just click the links in Ziggys post and it'll take you right there. 

[reed]

Moonpup.
Yes i know, i was trying to post it on my post i will work it out i can get pictures on now so i will get web site numbers next.
Thanks.
Steve 

[ztnoo]

Steve,
Looks to me like you have a couple of wrong characters in the web address you cited.
All it takes is one wrong character and things won't work, or you wind up somewhere unintended.

Try this one: http://www.billsmithmotors.co.uk/

Regards,
Steve

[ztnoo]

Re: Bill Smith Motors Ltd.

Lots history and a slideshow of pics in the following link, including pics of Bill on roadracing BSs and BSs in his store.
http://www.billsmithmotors.co.uk/pages/about-us/our-heritage.htm

[reed]

Ztnoo
Thanks.
Steve.